Is it healthy to be realistic all the time?

Question

Mad Dad Used to say: "Pessimists are almost always right because reality almost always sucks... Optimists are morons, but it is more fun to be around them..."

Given my father's statement is correct...

I choose to be realistic which makes me a pessimist... since reality sucks most of the time, it logically follows that future reality will also suck... this in turn makes me a pessimist... is that healthy reasoning?

Since shrinks are all about "being realistic"...

Answer 1

I wouldn't say that what your father said is a given.

Realistic doesn't make one a pessimist. Being realistic should mean that you see both sides, not just the down one.

No one needs delusions. Dreams are what makes us tick as humans. People often sink into depression when they don't have something to strive for. But dreams are not the same thing as delusions.